Traffic pollution linked to premature deaths in T.O.

Traffic is having such a big impact on the city's air quality that people who live in urban centres are suffering, he said at a news conference where he released his latest findings on pollution.

"This study shows that traffic-related pollution affects a very large number of people," McKeown said in the report. "Impacts such as the 200,000 restricted activity days per year due to days spent in bed or days when people cut back on usual activities are disruptive, affect quality of life and pose preventable health risk."

Here are some rounded numbers for related medical cases in 2004:

400 people died a premature death from short-term and chronic exposures to air pollution
1,700 people were hospitalized for related breathing and heart problems
1,200 cases of acute bronchitis in children
67,000 instances in which people reported respiratory problems
68,000 instances in which people with asthma experienced symptoms or an attack
200,000 days spent in bed or where people had to cut down on their usual activities

The elderly and children are suffering the most, according to the study, mostly from asthma-related symptoms and bronchitis.

The situation is costing taxpayers $2.2 billion in mortality-related costs associated with traffic pollution.

The study suggests cutting vehicle emissions by 30 per cent would save about 200 lives and would result in $900 million in annual health benefits.

The report concludes the city must carry through on its environmental plan, including increasing public transit usage and using road space more effectively.

Report coincides with TTC fare hike

McKeown released his findings the same day regular transit users found themselves paying more to use the TTC.

A monthly metropass is now $109 -- that's $30 more than the next most expensive transit system in North America, New York City.

A weekly pass has jumped to $32.25 and token prices have also jumped to $22.50 for a package of ten.

Franz Hartmann, the executive director at the Toronto Environmental Alliance, said he's not surprised with the health report's findings but found the timing of its release "frustrating."

"It's extremely frustrating to hear this on the day we have to pay more for transit," he said. "I blame the provincial and federal government for not coming forward to fund a transit system we know saves lives and cleans the air."

He pointed to federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's recent tax cut announcement and said Canada should use their significant surplus to help fund the TTC.

The city should also do their part by freezing TTC fares until the next municipal election in 2010, Hartmann said. In the meantime, the city should use property taxes to fund the transit system.

"Everyone benefits from the TTC," he said. "It helps move people around efficiently and helps clean the air.

"If we keep using fare increases, we will scare off the people who use the system and they will move towards using a car, which only exacerbates the problem we're trying to solve."

The health report suggested a number of ways to get people involved in reducing traffic congestions. Their goal is to reduce vehicle emissions, to enhance public transit and increase active transportation.

Some of their suggestions include:

Promoting the health benefits of walking
Improving design elements in communities, making them more "walkable"
Completing the 1,000-km network of bike-friendly lanes, routes and trails
Using roads more efficiently by allocating a part of it for pedestrians, cyclists.
Increasing High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes

"Achieving significant reductions in motor vehicle use will require time, substantial financial investment and strong support by decision makers and the public for alternate modes of transportation to single occupancy vehicle use," the report says.

Comments are now closed for this story

PVT
said

Can't somebody sue the city or region or province? We could easily eliminate a large portion of traffic on the highways and roads in the GTA/Niagara area with better public transportation - there is no excuse not to. GOTRAIN right to Beamsville would take hundreds of cars a day off the roads immediately. I don't understand....

Steve Ray
said

With regards to road pollution, I find it funny that everyone simply ignore that most people have car starters and have their vehicles running for a total of 30-60 minutes a day depending on how many trips are made. I can tell you that I don't spend that much time in my vehicle a day and I certainly wouldn't buy one of these to save a minute or two of cold. The vehicle will warm up much more efficiently when driven. These starters should be illegal or at least come with a substantial environmental tax. If it cost over a $1000 to buy one, maybe people would think about it first rather than polluting like crazy

RM
said

Ironically, Toronto has 'worst road' campaign contests publicized by just about every media outlet and shame the City of Toronto as well as the province of Ontario to do something about them.
However, when there are campaigns to improve TTC shelters and services, increase sidewalk and park benches, provide more bike lanes, repair sidewalks, call for more pedestrian crosswalks-- nobody bats an eye.
And when there's snow on the roads, plows are sent out within the hour. Likewise, when there's snow on sidewalks, there's health campaigns asking residents to shovel and also "to exercise caution and common sense when shovelling snow".
Common sense eh?

Steve Mack
said

The problem is neo-cons and modern liberals (Trudeau was different) are too short-sighted and they don't invest in positive measures. It's easier to do nothing than to encourage people to make better decisions regarding transportation. I take the bus to work because I cannot stand being stuck in rush hour by myself, a bus takes not much longer and at least I can talk to people on it.

Ed
said

This is a wakeup call for the leaders who THINK that cities should be BIGGER and BIGGER. Ontario is a huge province, spread the industry and housing around!!!

Michael
said

If Toronto were serious about their air they would mandate the use of ethanol fuel in cars. That would immediately cut down air pollution coming out vehicle tail pipes by approx. 30%. (try finding ethanol in TO, nearly impossible) Impose a hefty civic tax on those bigger (wannabe) 4X4 pollution machines. Restrict diesel truck use within the worst zones. Torontonians really haven't clued in that they are breathing a toxic cocktail which will restrict their lifespan. Let's see if McGuinty will just flap his jaws on the issue or do something meaningful to curtail air pollution levels.

g.e.
said

The government gave the city the power to install new taxes. This would have been the perfect occasion. Installing a 1% gasoline tax on all gasoline sold in the GTA which would go directly into TTC/Go train coffers would have been ideal.

Maybe gasoline should be treated just like tobacco. Keep taxing it till people stop using it.

Matt
said

I'd love to see the right wingers on council come up with solutions to combat air pollution as they do for gun crimes, which take the lives of only a small fraction of smog fatalities.

p north
said

I have to agree with Steve Ray.

No one seems to care about remote starters in vehicles. You drive a small cylinder import with a remote starter that runs for 30 mins just so that someone can hop into a warm seat ?

Go figure !

CFL
said

Hmmmmmmmmm

And the province banned smoking in restaurants and bars but can't or won't ban air pollution from vehicles.

Jen
said

The conservatives had a plan, the "CLEAN AIR ACT BILL", which includes solving the pollution, but, as usual, the Liberals, NDP and the Bloc refuse to accept the bill -- a bill that concerns many Canadians living in heavy polluted areas.
Blame this intense problems on the three opposition parties.

LF
said

The failures in our governments to the lead in environmental issues are clear in all levels. The feds need to use the billions of surplus to help the Cities built sustainable transportation. The province need to implement mandates to force co-operation between city transit systems (e.g. TTC does not play nice with others, believe it or not), and the municipalities need to think about traditional alternative modes as primary modes through planning. We as citizens also have failed since we have not voted for the right people to address these issues. These findings should be no surprise to anyone in Toronto. Just look up the dirty sky during working days!